Tang Dynasty, 618-907 AD. A very large ceramic horse in an advancing pose with elongated slender legs, the horses musculature well-defined, erect head turned slightly to the right, expressive alert facial features with open mouth, the forelock divided into two and swept to the sides, the tail bound and secured with a ribbon; a separately modelled saddle with saddle blanket. Cf. Greer, J.P., The armies and enemies of the ancient China, 1027BC-1286 AD, Los Angeles, 1975; Ranitzsch, K.H., The army of Tang China, Stockport, 1995; Congyun, L., Yang, Y., Gushan, Z., Imperial Tombs of China, Orlando, 1995; Perry, C., Imperial Chinese Armies (2), 590-1260 AD, London, 1996. 12.1 kg, 67.5cm (26 1/2"). From a West Country, UK, collection; formerly in a Hong Kong gallery, 1990s; accompanied by a positive Kotalla Laboratory thermoluminescence report no.41CM180321; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10860-178524. These powerful horses accompanied the emperor and his warriors in battle, like the mystic 'Autumn Mist', one of the Tang Tsai-Tsung's six favourite chargers. The element of fire, Feng Shui, was a symbol strongly associated with the horses. The artist was not only concerned with the artistic possibilities offered by the animal, but also with the faithful representation of the details.